The library is one of several ongoing infrastructure projects on-campus that will be in progress through 2029. (Photo by UT Contributor Rei Lopez

Several current and planned construction projects at Cal State LA affect students, faculty and campus operations. Claudio Lindow, interim vice president of administration and finance, provided updates that the University Times acquired from the Office of Strategic Communications (OSC) on each project’s estimated costs.

 

Campus air conditioning

 

According to the report, Lindow said that cooling system failures during the first week of class reduced campus cooling capacity prompting the university to prioritize housing and essential student services. Repairs to three of the four chillers have been completed at a total cost so far of $40,850 so far. A recall has delayed repairs to the newest chiller. Those repairs are covered by warranty and are expected to be completed by Nov. 13.
Two chilled-water lines also need repair. Repairs to the first are estimated to cost $9,600 and will require a campuswide cooling system shutdown. Lindow said that the University plans to schedule the work once the weather cools. The second is a broken underground line between the Career Center and Student Health Center. Those repairs are set to be completed soon and will affect only those two buildings.

Campuswide filter replacement and maintenance project

 

This project as outlined in the report involves maintenance, improvements and cleaning of about 115 heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units across campus. This includes replacing filters and belts, cleaning coils and servicing the equipment. The university has ordered the replacement filters, which are expected to arrive by Oct. 15.
Lindow also said that additional work is required. In the Biological Sciences Building, this includes boiler maintenance, as well as exhaust fan and fume hood repairs in the ECST Makerspace room ET B-111, in the Engineering and Technology Building (E&T Building) and includes air filtration and dust collection improvements. At the corporation yard, this includes rebuilding a pump. The university also needs to complete annual servicing of the medical gas system and annual cleaning and inspection of 10 boilers.
The project is expected to be completed in December. Minimal disruption to students and campus operations are expected. Any necessary equipment shutdowns will be after hours to minimize impact. 

 

Campuswide striping and pavement marking project

 

Lindow also said in his report that the project also involves repainting pavement markings, curbs, crosswalks, accessibility markers and posts on campus roadways and in parking areas. In addition to repainting, crews will remove obsolete markings and debris from landscaped areas. New markings will comply with campus standards, Americans with Disabilities Act requirements (ADA) and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) standards.
Lindow’s statement also says the project is estimated to cost about $1.18 million and is expected to be completed in February 2027. Improvements along Mariondale Avenue and College Square Drive have been completed. Crews will complete the remaining work in phases to minimize disruption to campus activity.

Housing roofing and preparations for rain

 

In his report Lindow also said that a priority for the university is repairing roofing and installing a roof overlay in student residential areas. This also involves removing gravel, vegetation and debris. The work includes repairing roof drainage and slopes, adding overflow drains and replacing mechanical equipment. Heat pumps are being temporarily removed and disconnected as needed, then reinstalled and tested.
The project is expected to be completed by Oct 30, though no cost estimate was provided. Most of the roofing has been installed. The facilities are currently unoccupied, so no temporary relocations are expected during the remaining work according to Lindow’s report from OSC. 

 

John F. Kennedy (JFK) Memorial Library (North Wing)  deck coating and ceiling replacement project

John F. Kennedy (JFK) Memorial Library (North Wing), work has been completed on the mechanical house, where the building’s heating and cooling equipment is located. Work continues on the main roof, which is about half finished. The solar powered shade structure, which is about 35% complete. Leaky tiles in the third-floor ceiling are also being replaced.
The project is expected to be completed by Nov. 30 at an estimated cost of up to $4.3 million.
Access to the third and fourth floors in the library is closed or restricted. Study areas on those floors are unavailable, and students can expect construction noise as this project continues, according to the report. They did not respond to requests for an estimated date for those floors to be reopened in time for publication.

Biological Sciences Building gas project

Work is underway on underground gas lines near the Biological Sciences Building (BS Building) and nearby campus facilities. The project includes installing new underground and elevated gas piping and shutoff valves connecting them to other campus gas lines. Currently there is new gas pipe installment construction underway.
The project is expected to be completed in November at an estimated cost of $350,000.
Lindow also said in his report that the university does not anticipate disruptions to laboratory and classroom operations. Final connections requiring service interruptions will be scheduled during off-hours. No class relocations or building closures are expected.

Simpson Tower and Salazar Hall—Air Handling Unit Improvements

 

In these two buildings, work will be done on air conditioning units from  Nov. 21 to Nov. 30. During this time, cooling will be temporarily unavailable while replacements and repairs are completed. This project is estimated to cost about $560,000.

Music Building Lighting and stage rigging upgrades

 

Since May, designs have been in development for improvements to rooms 200 and 219 in the Music Building and room 115 in the Television and Film Media Center (TVFM). This work involves production power, work lighting, lighting controls and distribution, specialty theatrical lighting systems and acoustic treatments in the Music Building. Plans also include flooring improvements in Music Building room 200 and pipe rigging upgrades in room 219. Those same upgrades will also occur in room 115 of the TVFM Building.
The project remains in the design phase. Once designs are completed and permits are approved, the university will begin hiring a contractor. Work is currently expected to continue through April 2027 at an estimated cost of $835,000.
The university will determine the expected impacts of construction once plans are finalized.  Temporary restrictions on access to these rooms are anticipated during construction.

King Hall restroom restoration

Designs are currently being developed for renovations to the men’s and women’s restrooms on the first floor of King Hall. These renovations are expected to provide left-hand wheelchair access in accessible stalls to comply with Chapter 11b of the California Building Code accessibility requirements (Title 24). 
Lindow said that the university expects designs to be completed by November and construction to begin in December. Construction is expected to take about four months, with completion anticipated in March 2027. The estimated budget for this project is about $1 million.
During construction, the restrooms on the first level will be unavailable. Restrooms on other floors will remain open.

Former administration building

 

Demolition of the old administration building, which is a midcentury structure on campus that is currently unoccupied, is being planned. The Chancellor’s Office has budgeted about $15 million for the project according to Lindow’s report, but the final cost has not been determined.
He said in his report that the university is accepting bids and expects to select a contractor by the end of November. Construction is expected to begin in December and be completed in one year. During that time, Parking Lot 4 is expected to be fenced off. A walkway will connect the main campus walkway to the Student Services Building.
Demolition noise is expected, and access around the site will be restricted during this time, however they did not provide details on the size of the work area or perimeter.. They did not specify in time for publication if that work would occur during finals week or after.

 

Modular data center migration project

 

Plans are currently being developed for two new data centers, one for the east side of campus and the other on the west side, though specific locations have not been disclosed at this time. Lindow said that this will allow the university to move data center services from the University Library and the old administration building, where they are currently housed.
In his report, he said that designs are expected to be completed by May 2027, with construction planned from September 2027 through March 2029. The estimated cost for this project is about $14.4 million.
Lindow said that the university plans to maintain critical campus networks and data services throughout the project in his report.